>> ... Many of those same radios are being sold through legitimate/commercial dealers ...
OK so far ...
>> ... for FRS/GMRS rigs ...
Not OK - they are not legal for either the GMRS nor the FRS.
>> ... the same Puxing ... was bought in large numbers in the Palm Springs area for backup
coms between all the gated communities in case of an earthquake ...
The day my community uses Wouxun/Puxing products for ANY facet of community service is the day I move. AFTER educating the powers-that-be of the dire consequences of using sub-par equipment to protect their constituents.
But when it comes to these matters hams do not care about reliability or dependability or service or parts availability - 'cause the "price is right."
You get what you pay for.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS